"My degree has provided a great platform from which to launch my career."
Romana moved to London in 2017, launching her career in the UK at The Royal Society within diversity and education policy administration, and later at Springer Nature publishing company assisting with the Scientific Data research journal peer review process.
Following this, Romana began specialising in the pharmaceutical sector as a 91Ƶ Coordinator for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, managing research grants for projects delivered by community pharmacists, and events including the annual Health Services 91Ƶ and Pharmacy Practice (HSRPP) conference.
Romana then worked at Nicholas Hall, a consumer healthcare solutions consultancy. As a Consultant, she researched the market for new, innovative health products and therapeutic devices; and developed business, sales, and R&D strategies for international clients. This included travelling to visit clients in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the USA.
After a period as a Project Manager at Reckitt (formerly Reckitt Benckiser) the global pharma company that owns Dettol, Durex, Strepsils, Gaviscon etc, she is now a Global Health & Social Impact Manager at Pfizer. We asked Romana what her role sees her doing and she replied:
I have a broad range of responsibilities including product donations to International Health Partners in the UK, an organisation that provides essential health packs in humanitarian crises. I also manage the social impact strategy that requires relationship management with external charitable organisations that respond to the Social Determinants of Health. This ranges from social mobility, STEM outreach, sustainability and environment, people with complex disabilities, ageing populations and refugees. My responsibility is to engage internal Pfizer UK colleagues to volunteer with the charitable partners to create lasting social impact. Additionally, I work as co-lead on health inequalities in the UK. This includes managing external stakeholder relationships and providing grants for projects that address the UK's NHS Core20 Plus5 strategy. This strategy is a response to the 20% most deprived and underserved populations in the UK.
My responsibilities include implementing a One Pfizer UK health inequalities strategic framework for my colleagues to embed health equity in their day to day responsibilities. I work to build and maintain external relationships with key sectors such as the Learned Societies in the UK, charities and academia. As part of this strategy I sit as the Pfizer representative on a life sciences women’s health coalition. I work to support the Pfizer UK and European Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council on the Pfizer Refugee Leadership Initiative whereby I manage the mentoring workstream – matching Pfizer colleagues to refugees who require support navigating their employment journey.
Romana completed her Master of Science in Health and International Development at the London School of Economics – graduating in December 2024. While at LSE, she delivered a student consulting project with the Clinton Health Access Initiative – researching and preparing policy proposals for vaccine preventable diseases in Africa.
Romana says that to any young alumni looking to move to London to be prepared to work hard as it's a competitive city, but that means there are many opportunities. Embrace the challenges and new way of life. Be open minded, curious, socialise with different people and have fun! R&D strategies for international clients. This included travelling to visit clients in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the USA.
